Shubhankar Sharma carded 69 and 71 in the second and third round respectively to lie tied 55th but experienced SSP Chawrasia missed the cut in the morning at the weather-hit Omega Dubai Desert Classic here today.
Shubhankar logged a second successive 69 in the second round to get to six-under 138 and then shot 71 in the third round to drop to Tied-55th.
In the morning, Chawrasia missed the cut as he followed up his first round of 70 with a second round 71 to total three-under 141. The cut fell at five-under 139.
More From This Section
The Chinese fired a 64 to get to 20-under and will be aiming for not just a second European Tour victory tomorrow but also the new low record to par, set at 22-under by Thomas Bjrn in 2001.
McIlroy was not always at his brilliant best in round three but a back nine of 32 saw him sign for a 68 as he aims to equal Ernie Els as a three-time winner at this event.
Alexander Levy and Haydn Porteous were at 17-under, a shot clear of Andy Sullivan and two ahead of David Horsey.
Horsey was 15-under after a 68, a shot clear of Rafa Cabrera Bello, Dylan Frittelli, Branden Grace, Tyrrell Hatton, David Lipsky, Thorbjrn Olesen, Chris Paisley and Jeunghun Wang.
Haotong said, "I've never been in this position before so it's going to be fun out there tomorrow.
"Hopefully I can do my best out there and have some low scores. I just want to play by myself and play my game. I thought if I just stayed patient, I'll play good. So I just stayed patient all day."
McIlroy had played the remaining seven holes of his second round in five under in the morning to lead by two and he briefly had a three-shot advantage after getting up and down following a booming drive down the second.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content